For those who miss "chicken" when out in the wilderness, Chicken-of-the-woods can prove to be a good substitute. Found abundantly across the globe, especially during summer and autumn, Chicken-of-the-woods is a parasitic mushroom that creates its own hollowed-out home on the trunk of a living tree such as oak (a favourite), yew, cedar, cherry wood, eucalyptus, willow, elm, or sweet chestnut. It can grow on decaying matter too.

Easily noticeable because of its weight (can go up to 45 kg) and size (ranging from 5 cm to 60 cm), the mushroom presents a glowing and bracketed appearance. The smooth and velvety outer skin forms the base for clusters of thick yellowish-orange or ivory-coloured petals. Numerous minute pores dot the yellow under surface.

The tender portions and leafy sections of the "young" mushroom are meant for consumption, but only after a thorough cleaning. Fully mature mushrooms or those growing on decaying matter can contain toxins absorbed from the host plant. It is advisable to eat small quantities at first, since the plant's own proteins and allergens can result in swollen lips and a tingling tongue sometimes. Hypersensitive people can even experience nausea and vomiting, disorientation and dizziness. Long-term storage is not possible, as Chicken-of-the-woods does not dry well.

 

Wild Mushrooms on Line / Mushroom Collecting

 

 

 

Burdock (Genus: Articum)

A plant that offers both, nutritional and medicinal benefits, Burdock belongs to a group of biennial thistles. It is abundantly available in early spring, in the woods of Europe, Asia and North America.

This wild plant reaches a height of 5 feet and grows expansively. The dark-green, heart-shaped leaves are very distinctive, reaching a length of 45 cm to 1 foot. Rather fuzzy or woolly underneath, these leaves are low-lying. The tap roots are black in colour. The flowers resemble purple shaving brushes, and contain plenty of nectar. The fruits sport globular and sticky seed heads or burs that get caught in the clothes of human beings and the pelts of animals.

The young tap roots of the Burdock plant are edible, provided they are collected fresh in spring or autumn; they might become too dry or old or tough to consume after wards. Since they are deeply anchored and need to be dug out, the roots should be thoroughly cleansed and the tough outer rind cut off before cooking. Even the leaf stalks and leaves are best consumed, young. But they are quite bitter in taste, so generally need to be combined with something else before consumption. The seeds can be used to prepare a herbal tea.

 

Life Mana / Wild Man Steve Brill / Alternative Nature

 

 

The Nettle can be seen growing everywhere-open meadows, hedge banks, roadsides, and so on-wherever it can find soil that is rich in nitrates. Hence, the rapidly-growing, perennial plant is a common sight across the British Isles, Western Asia, North Africa, western part of North America, parts of South America, Australia and Europe.

The erect stem of the Nettle can reach a height of 4 feet. The leaves are the main attraction-dark-green and serrated at the edges, triangular in shape, large in size (2 to 4 inches long with varying breadth), and covered with tiny hairs containing formic acid. At the junctions of the stem and leaves, there are clusters of greenish-white or reddish-brown flowers, but with no petals.

It is advisable to wear gloves and protective clothing when handling the leaves, for each tiny hair releases its poison upon being touched. The result is a stinging sensation and a rash. Intensely sensitive people can suffer from respiratory illnesses or allergic conjunctivitis if they are exposed to the pollen from Nettle plants. Apart from that, it is safe to collect the young shoots of the plant, boil or dry them (to remove the sting), cook, and consume them; they are rich in vitamin C.

Age Old Herbs / Country Lovers

 

 

Beefsteak fungus or ox tongue fungus is extremely common in Britain, though found in other parts of the world too-Eastern North America, Europe and Australia. This parasitic plant can be seen clinging to the base of a tree trunk; it prefers trees with broad leaves, such as the oak and sweet chestnut. In Australia, it grows on eucalyptus trees. Though the fruit bodies are most abundant from August to November, late fall produces the best specimens.

With a large diameter ranging from 20 cm to 40 cm, the pinkish-red or reddish-brown fruit body resembles a tongue. It is a rough semi-circle, with a somewhat convex surface and slightly inflated margins. The texture is soft and fleshy. There is no visible stem. The underside has pinkish-yellow spores.

Thick and succulent, the Beefsteak fungus secretes a red-coloured juice when cut. Fresh and moderately-sized specimens that exhibit an even colour are the best; slimy or excessively soft mushrooms are better left alone. Further, the specimens should be soaked in salt water for sometime and cleaned thoroughly before cooking, as insects tend to settle in the spores. If eaten raw, the mushroom should be boiled in several changes of water, to get rid of the tannic acids absorbed from host trees.

 

Junctify / Arkive

 

 

"Royal" in appearance, and bestowed with a "royal" name, Lords and Ladies is a common sight in the British Isles, Central Europe, and Southern Europe; it grows in woods, along hedgerows and shaded ditches. While the plant blossoms only during the spring, the orange-red fruits can be seen only in autumn. The locals have given it many other names too, such as Adam and Eve, Cuckoo pint, Wake Robin and Adder's Root.

Beautiful Lords and Ladies commands attention with its sparkling green, arrow-shaped leaves, dotted with black specks. From amongst this clump of leaves, arises a tall, slender cowl; it is a covering for the slender purple-coloured Spike or Spadix. The flowers give out a rather pungent fragrance.

Appearances are deceptive, however, for the leaves and fruits of this plant are highly toxic in nature, leading to a stinging sensation within the mouth, irritation in the eyes, asphyxiation, digestive problems, and even cardiac disorders in extra-sensitive individuals. Only the tuberous root is safe, and can be processed to yield a rather bitter-tasting starch. Hand gloves are to be worn while processing, keeping other foodstuffs well away. All used utensils are to be thoroughly washed and dried naturally.

             The root is not to be consumed in its raw form.

Arkive / Herbarim

 

 

 

Native to England, Europe and North America, the perennial Coltsfoot is an invasive weed, rushing to occupy every bit of available space on dry soil, wet grounds, along railway banks and wastelands and is an early spring flowering plant. A single peduncle with a lone yellow flower at the tip shoots out of the underground Rhizome, in late winter (February). This flower stem is covered with white hairs and reddish-coloured bracts. After the death of this peduncle, the surrounding shoots begin to grow leaves during the summer months of June and July.

The Coltsfoot stands around 20 cm tall, with white and small roots. Balanced on long stalks, the broad, hoof-shaped leaves with angularly-serrated margins stretch four inches across. New leaves are covered by loose white, felted woolly hairs on both surfaces; the upper surface loses them later. The dandelion-like, fragrant flowers are yellow-coloured; their seeds have tufts of silky hairs attached to them.

Though containing mucilage and tannin, every part of this wild plant is edible.

 

 

Call it Jelly Fungus or Jew's Ear; this perennial plant has been a favourite with people across Europe and Asia since the Middle Ages. The Chinese are very fond of it. Able to withstand even freezing temperatures, the thawed-out plant can be consumed safely without any ill effects.

The cup-shaped or floppy human Ear makes its home on rotting oak, tree stumps, and decaying branches of the Elder tree. Red in colour with a purplish tint, the large (2 to 15 cm in diameter) Ear is attached to the substrate directly, despite the presence of a rudimentary stem. Smooth, or undulating with tiny folds, the upper surface is covered with tiny hairs. Generally smooth, the lighter-coloured inner surface might exhibit veins at times. Traces of spores are visible on both surfaces.

It is best to consume Jew's Ear when it is young and fresh, for then it is soft, moist, elastic and chewy like gelatine. The stem, however, should be discarded. And just to be on the safe side, it is advisable to boil Jew's Ear for 45 minutes or more in a solution of stock or milk, before consumption. The mature Fungus is black and hard. It can be dried and ground, to add flavour to dishes.

 

 

Native to the British Isles, the perennial, herbaceous Hemp Agrimony is also found in Europe, North Africa, and Western and Central Asia. It loves damp habitats such as woodlands, marshes, ditches, fens, heaths, etc. The flowering season lasts from July (late summer) to September (early autumn).

The woody rootstock gives rise to a round, bushy, reddish stem that is around 1.2 m in height, and covered with downy hairs. Every leaf on the stem has an extremely tiny stalk. Each leaf is further divided into three lance-shaped segments that are deeply and coarsely toothed. Often likened to raspberries and cream, the flower heads are soft, tiny and pinkish-purple in appearance, and give off a pleasant fragrance.

Edible, but more useful as a medicine, Hemp Agrimony cannot be consumed by all; certain precautions need to be observed. Considering that the plant acts like an emetic, diuretic and laxative, pregnant women and nursing mothers are advised to avoid it. The drying action of the plant has a bad impact on those who suffer from dryness of mouth or constipation. Topical application may result in the skin becoming extra-sensitive to sunlight. Patients on blood-thinning medicines should stay away. Finally, the plant contains a volatile oil that can affect the kidneys.

Conservation Volunteers Northern Ireland / Nature Gate / Realy Wild Flowers

 

Also known as wild garlic, wood garlic, it is a wild relative of chives native to Europe and Asia. Ramsons grow in deciduous woodlands it loves moist soils with slightly acidic conditions. Ramsons flower before deciduous trees start to leaf in the spring, filling the air with their strong garlic-like scent.

 

Ramsons leaves are edible and can be eaten in salads, where they impart a garlic-like taste, they can be also cooked as a vegetable. Both the bulbs and the flowers are also edible. But be aware that the leaves of Lily of the Valley are very similar to Ramsons leaves, but these do not smell of garlic when rubbed and are exceedingly poisonous.

 

Ramsons have similair health benefits to cultivated garlic. All parts of the plant can be used, and the most effective part is the bulb. which can help to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as easing stomach pain and as a digestive tonic. Despite that these health benefits are quite well known, we do not recommend you try any of them unless directed by a doctor or qualified herbalist.

 

 

 

 

Native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere in Europe, Asia and North America.  The name hawthorn was originally given to the species native to northern Europe, especially the Common Hawthorn and the unmodified name is often so used in Britain and Ireland.

 

In May and early June, The edible flowers develop into numerous small bright-red fruit known as Haws which are edible and are very high in vitamin C and can also be made into jams, jellies and preserves.

 

Young hawthorn leaves are also edible and have a slightly nutty taste tasty make a great addition to any salad (but only worth picking the really young ones). The leaf buds are also edible and are collected in the spring time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rosebay Willowherb also known as Fireweed a perennial herbaceous plant this is a common plant that grows on acidic soils in open fields and moorland. It's alternate name of 'Fireweed' derives from that it grows in abundance on burnt sites after forest fires. The plant has erect stems some 50cm to 2.5m in height with lanceolate and pinnately-veined leaves arranged in spirals up the stem.

 

The flowers form a radial-symmetrical spike at the top of the plant and each flower is pink in and has four pink petals.  The plant is a native of Europe, temperate Asia and North America, all parts of the plant (except the seeds) are edible and the leaves and young stoot can be eaten raw in salads or cooked as a vegetable these young shoots make an excellent asparagus substitute if peeled and gently boiled.

 

The flower stalks can also be cooked and used as a vegetable. They are also useful in salads if added when the flowers are still in bud. The dried leaves can be made into a tea.

 

Celtnet 

 

 

 

It is most commonly called Elder, Elderberry, European Elder,It grows in a variety of conditions including both wet and dry fertile soils, There are several other closely related species, native to Asia and North America which are similar.

 

It is a deciduous shrub or small tree growing to 4–6 m very rarely upto 10 m tall the bark is a light grey when young and changes to a coarse grey outer bark with lengthwise furrow's, the leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, with a serrated margin.

 

The flowers are individual flowers white, 5–6 mm diameter, with five true petals and are are commonly used in infusions, giving a very common refreshing drink  The fruit is a dark purple to black the berry is 3–5 mm in diameter, producing a drooping clusters in the late autumn. Raw berries have laxative and diuretic actions, the seeds are best not eaten raw as they are mildly poisonous and could result in vomiting and nausea , particularly if eaten unripe. The mild cyanide toxicity is finished by cooking & are edible when cooked they go well with blackberries & apples and can be used into jam and conserves.

 

All green parts of the tree are poisonous, containing cyanogenic glycosides .   

 

There are some other side effects may occurs with this herb such as irregular heart beet, stomach upset & diarrhea. It is not recommended to use elderberry in young children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with complex liver or kidney disease .

 

wildmanstevebrill / Wikipedia / Herbal-medicines

 

 

 

 

Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is a biennial flowering plant in the Mustard family, It is native to Europe, western and central Asia, and northwestern Africa, from Morocco, Iberia and the British Isles, north to northern Scandinavia, and east to northern India and western China, and are often found abundant in damp shaded areas growing along the hedgerows, also known as Jack-by-the-hedge. Other names include Garlic Root, Hedge Garlic, Sauce-alone, Jack-in-the-bush, Penny Hedge and Poor Man's Mustard.

 

The leaves are heart-shaped and smell of garlic when crushed,the flowers are tiny clusters of white florets (about 6 mm across), each with four rounded petals, this plant is edible and the leaves are used in cooking to flavour fish and meat and are also added to salards, Garlic mustard is also high in vitamins A&C.  

 

Garlic mustard has been little used in herbal medicine. The leaves and stems are antiasthmatic, antiscorbutic, antiseptic, Externally, they have been used as an antiseptic poultice, and are effective in relieving the itching caused by bites and stings. The leaves can be dried for later use.

 

 

 

 

 

Found up to a hight of 1160m above sea level, Oxalis acetosella is widespread throughout most of the world.

 

 

The flavour of this plant comes from its production of Oxalic Acid, which also has the effect of making your mouth water. The leaves are rich in Vitamin C and beta-carotene. 

 

 

Leaves are good in salads, both fruit and savoury and can be crushed with sugar and mixed with water to make a lemonade substitute.

 

 

 

 

Horseradish has long been cultivated for its root which is used as a food flavouring and medicinally, growing to (2ft 4in) by (2ft 7in). It is in flower from May to June It grows in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. and can grow in very alkaline soils.

The young roots & leaves are edible raw or cooked, The grated root is used to make  'Horseradish sauce' (this has a hot mustard-like flavour) the leaves are nice when added in small quantities to the salad bowl adding a strong flavour.

 

 

 

 

 

Other names are broadleaf dock, butter dock, cushy-cows, kettle dock and smair dock

 

Rumex Obtusifolius (Broadleaved Dock) flowers from June to October and can be found throughout the UK with various variaties found throughout the world. This plant is probably best known as an antidote for Urtica dioica (stinging nettle) stings, though there is no scientific proof that this works more then as a placebo.

 

 

 

Its unattractive appearance combines with its unpleasant taste to mean it is not a plant which is regularly consumed. 

 

 

 

 

 

Species of clover, native to Europe, Western Asia and northwest Africa, but planted and naturalised in many other regions, It is in flower from May to September, and the seeds ripen from Jul to October.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yarrow is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native to the Northern Hemisphere.

Other common names for this species include common yarrow, gordaldo, nosebleed plant, old man's pepper, devil's nettle, sanguinary, milfoil, soldier's woundwort, thousand-leaf, thousand-seal.

 

 

Yarrow has also been used as food, the tea is consumed as a beverage, and the plant has been used to flavor beer, wine, and soft drinks, the leaves can be used as a seasoning (somewhat like sage), and the flowers make a stronger seasoning. The young leaves have been boiled as greens, and the very young leaves added to salads.

 

The leaves are medicinally strongest just before flowering, and the flowers are stronger than the leaves, Yarrow has a high reputation and is widely employed in herbal medicine, administered both internally and externally. It is used in the treatment of a very wide range of disorders but is particularly valuable for treating wounds, stopping the flow of blood, treating colds, fevers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Like all wild roses it's stems are covered with small, sharp, hooked spines, which aid it in climbing. The leaves are pinnate, with 5-7 leaflets. The flowers, which develop in June and July are 4-6 cm diameter with five petals and are generally pale pink but can vary between white and deep pink. Once fertilized the flowers mature into an oval 1.5-2 cm red-orange fruit, or hip.

 

Best harvested after first frost, which turns them bright red and slightly softens them, they can be used fresh, dried or preserved, they make a very good tea, by themselves  you must boil, not steep, for 10 minutes to get the full flavor and benefit.

Each hip is has an outer fleshy layer, which contains lots of seeds which are  embedded in fine hairs, which need to be removed before using the hips.

 

The petals of the dog rose can be consumed, and are served neat in salads.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both leaves and root are edible, roots raw or cooked. It can also be dried and ground into flour then used in soups etc, young shoots can be eaten raw the leaves picked and dried early summer can be used for teas, medical herbalists believe that silverweed's main medicinal value is in its astringency. Silverweed makes an effective gargle for sore throats and is a helpful remedy for diarrhea. it is less astringent than its close relative tormentil, but it also has a gender action within the gastrointestinal tract. Silverweed is used externally as a lotion or ointment for bleeding hemorrhoids.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Artemisia vulgaris, can be found all over the world up to an altitude of approximately 420m above sea level. Found in waste places (especially in civilised areas), roadsides and field & track margins. Mugwort is a remnant from the last ice age that has adapted to our temperate climate.

 

The leaves and buds, best picked shortly before the plant flowers in July to September, were used as a bitter flavouring agent to season fat, meat and fish. It has also been used to flavour beer before the introduction of or instead of hops.

 

Mugwort oil contains thujone, which is toxic in large amounts or under prolonged intake. Thujone is also present in Thuja plicata (western red cedar), from which the name is derived. Mugwort herb contains a very small percentage of oil, so is generally considered safe to use. Pregnant women, though, should avoid consuming large amounts of mugwort. The species has a number of recorded historic uses in food, herbal medicine, and as a smoking herb.

 

Mugwort pollen is one of the main sources of hay fever and allergic asthma. Mugwort pollen generally travels less than 2,000 meters with the highest concentration of mugwort pollen generally being found between 9 and 11 am. Cooking is known to decrease the allergenicity of mugwort.

 

 

 

A perennial, the dandelion is a member of the sunflower family. The name comes from the French, 'dents de lion' ("teeth of the lion") due to the shape of the leaves. A native to Europe, it is now widespread as it was taken around the world for its medicinal and culinary, uses.

 

Identified by their rosette of deeply toothed leaves, large yellow flowers on a tubular stem and fluffy white seed head.

 

All parts of taraxacum officinale can be used. The leaves are very bitter and may need to be boiled several times in fresh water to remove the bitterness of the leaves. The roots can be roasted and ground to make a coffee substitute. Dandelion leaves act as a diuretic, increasing the amount of urine the body produces. The leaves are used to stimulate the appetite and help digestion. Dandelion flower has antioxidant properties. Dandelion may also help improve the immune system.

 

Herbalists use dandelion root to detoxify the liver and gallbladder, and dandelion leaves to support kidney function.

 

 

 

 

Found up to approx 950m above sea level, growing well on grassy areas, waste ground and arable fields. Stellaria media can be harvested all year round, giving a good source of vitamins C, B6, B12, D and A, aswell as Magnesium, phosphorius, copper and rutin, though is a very 'stringy' plant.

 

Stellaria media is mildly toxic in large quantities due to saponins. Saponins have been known to poison livestock after eating several kilos at a time, for this reason farmers tend to control the growth of chickweed with sprays.

 

 

 

Common sorrel can be found widespread throughout Europe, favouring grassy places and growing best in partial shade. Common sorrel is also one of the first greens in the year to be picked.

 

Common sorrel is a herbaceous perennial growing to a height of about 1.2 m. The leaves are large, ovate in outline and have characteristic, pointed basal leaf lobes that direct backwards; the leaves are sour to taste due to the presence of oxalic acid. The small pinkish flowers are unisexual (either male of female) and are sometimes only present on separate plants. They are in whorls on the flowering stems and have six rounded tepals with a small tubercle near the base; the inner three enlarge when the fruit matures and envelope it. The fruit is a triangular achene.

 

Common sorrel was a popular cultivated vegetable in Europe until the Middle Ages, when improved varieties of related species replaced it. Today, it is gathered from the wild for use in sauces, and as a spinach or salad leaf as it has a sharp grape skin like flavour due to the presence of oxalic acid.

 

The leaves are used in herbal medicine for their cooling and diuretic properties. They were once eaten to prevent or treat scurvy. Common sorrel is also used to treat sinusitis and cancer. The sap can be used as a laundry stain-remover.

 

 

 

 

Bellis perennis can be found up to approximately 915m above sea level, growing on well maintained or heavily grazed grassy areas.

 

The leaves are small, slightly hairy and spoon shaped, growing in a rosette. Flowers are a yellow disc surrounded by  white petals and grow on a single leafless stem.

 

The leafs are succulent with a mild but pleasant flavour, can be used in salads or cooked. The flowers are not the most flavoursome though will add a splash of colour to any salad or dish.

 

Bellis perennis can be used to treat coughs and colds due to their expectorant action. crushed leaves can be used to treat bruising and skin conditions.

 

 

 

Found to an approx height of 780m above sea level, growing well in almost all soils all over the world. Capsella bursa-pastoris can be found in almost all growing stages throughout the year.

 

Capsella bursa-pastoris can be found and harvested all year round, being a good source of Protein, Fat, Carbohydrate, Fibre, Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Zinc, Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6 and C.

 

It has been said that when the seeds are placed in water they attract mosquitoes.

They have a gummy substance that binds the insects mouth to the seed. The seed also releases a substance toxic to the larvae. ½ kilo of seed is said to be able to kill 10 million larvae. Plants can be grown on salty or marshy land in order to reclaim it by absorbing the salt and 'sweetening' the soil, making it more suitable for other plants.